Ryan Crouser
{{good article}}
{{Short description|American track and field athlete (born 1992)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2021}}
{{Infobox sportsperson
| name = Ryan Crouser
| image = Ryan Crouser 2019 (cropped).jpg
| imagesize =
| caption = Crouser in 2019 at the Millrose Games
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|mf=yes|1992|12|18}}
| birth_place = Portland, Oregon, U.S.
| height = 6 ft 7 in
| weight = 320 lbs
| country = {{USA}}
| sport = Track and field
| event = Shot put
Discus throw
| collegeteam = Texas Longhorns
| club = Nike
| pb = SP: 23.56 m
20px (2023)
DT: 63.90 m (2014)
JT: 61.16 m (2008)
| medaltemplates = {{Medal|Sport|Men's athletics}}
{{Medal|Country|the {{USA}}}}
{{Medal|Olympic}}
{{MedalGold|2016 Rio de Janeiro|Shot put}}
{{MedalGold|2020 Tokyo|Shot put}}
{{MedalGold|2024 Paris|Shot put}}
{{Medal|Competition|World Championships}}
{{MedalGold|2022 Eugene|Shot put}}
{{MedalGold|2023 Budapest|Shot put}}
{{MedalSilver|2019 Doha|Shot put}}
{{Medal|Competition|World Indoor Championships}}
{{MedalGold|2024 Glasgow|Shot put}}
{{MedalSilver|2022 Belgrade|Shot put}}
{{MedalCompetition|World Youth Championships}}
{{MedalGold|2009 Bressanone|Shot put}}
{{MedalSilver|2009 Bressanone|Discus throw}}
}}
Ryan Crouser (born December 18, 1992) is an American track and field athlete who competes in the shot put and discus. He specializes in the shot put, in which he is the only three-time Olympic gold medalist, having won in Rio de Janeiro, Tokyo and Paris, and also a two-time outdoor World Champion. He holds the world record in the shot put, both indoors and outdoors. He set the outdoor world record at 23.56 meters in May 2023, improving upon his previous record of 23.37 m from July 2021. He has held the indoor record of 22.82 m since January 2021.
In his early career, Crouser set a national high school record for the indoor shot put and outdoor discus, and he won gold in the shot put at the 2009 World Youth Championships. At the University of Texas at Austin, he won four NCAA titles in the shot put. He won the national title in the shot put at the USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships seven of the eight times the event was held between 2016 and 2024. He is also a four-time national champion in the indoor shot put at the USA Indoor Track and Field Championships, with victories in 2019, 2020, 2022, and 2024.
Crouser achieved his first Olympic gold medal at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics with a throw of 22.52 m and retained his title at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, setting an Olympic record of 23.30 m. He also won the gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics with a throw of 22.90 m. At the 2019 World Championships in Doha, he secured a silver medal. Crouser then went on to win gold at both the 2022 World Championships in Eugene and the 2023 World Championships in Budapest. His throw of 23.51 m in Budapest set a record for the farthest throw ever at a World Championships.
Crouser has been named Track & Field News World Male Athlete of the Year. He was also awarded USA Track & Field's highest accolade, the Jesse Owens Award, and was twice a finalist for Male Track and Field World Athlete of the Year by World Athletics, the international governing body for track and field. Crouser holds the distinction of earning victories in a Diamond League Championship, Olympic Games, World Indoor Championship, World Outdoor Championship, and World Youth Championship.
Early life and youth competition
Crouser was born on December 18, 1992 in Portland, Oregon, and raised in the neighboring rural area of Boring.{{Cite web |last=Dennehy |first=Cathal |date=2022-07-04 |title=Ryan Crouser and his pursuit of perfection |url=https://worldathletics.org/news/feature/ryan-crouser-usa-shot-put-perfection |access-date=2024-01-01 |website=worldathletics.org |archive-date=December 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231231022018/https://worldathletics.org/news/feature/ryan-crouser-usa-shot-put-perfection |url-status=live }}{{cite news |date=August 18, 2016 |title=Oregon native wins shot put gold, sets record |work=KATU |agency=Associated Press |location=Portland, Oregon |url=https://katu.com/sports/oregon-native-wins-shot-put-gold-sets-record |archive-url=https://archive.today/20190102223914/https://katu.com/sports/oregon-native-wins-shot-put-gold-sets-record |archive-date=January 2, 2019}} He comes from a family with a background in throwing events.{{Cite web |last=Robbins |first=Kevin |date=2012-01-24 |title=Horns thrower Crouser brings family history with him |url=https://www.statesman.com/story/news/2012/01/25/horns-thrower-crouser-brings-family/6702577007/ |access-date=2024-01-01 |website=Austin American-Statesman |language=en-US |archive-date=January 1, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240101182548/https://www.statesman.com/story/news/2012/01/25/horns-thrower-crouser-brings-family/6702577007/ |url-status=live }} His father, Mitch Crouser, was an alternate on the 1984 Olympic discus team. His uncle, Brian Crouser, competed in two Olympics in the javelin, while his other uncle, Dean Crouser, excelled in shot put and discus. His cousins, Sam and Haley Crouser, are also javelin throwers. He started participating in track and field in the fifth grade and was competing at a high level when he reached high school.{{cite web |author=Krider |first=Dave |date=2010-05-10 |title=New generation continues Crouser family throwing tradition |url=http://www.maxpreps.com/news/13GEZ1iBEd-lugAcxJTdpg/new-generation-continues-crouser-family-throwing-tradition.htm |access-date=June 22, 2016 |publisher=MaxPreps.com |archive-date=June 30, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160630193800/http://www.maxpreps.com/news/13GEZ1iBEd-lugAcxJTdpg/new-generation-continues-crouser-family-throwing-tradition.htm |url-status=live }}
In 2009, his sophomore year at Sam Barlow High School in Gresham, Oregon, Crouser set a national sophomore record with the 1.62 kg (3.58 lb) discus, throwing 61.72 m.{{cite web |url=http://or.milesplit.com/articles/24061/ryan-crouser-first-oregon-prep-discus-over-200-feet-at-mac-wilkins-all-comers-meet-in-portland-or |title=Ryan Crouser, First Oregon Prep Discus Over 200 feet at Mac Wilkins All-Comers Meet in Portland, Or |date=June 17, 2009 |access-date=June 22, 2016 |author=Pfeifer, Jack |publisher=MileSplit |archive-date=August 27, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160827005116/http://or.milesplit.com/articles/24061/ryan-crouser-first-oregon-prep-discus-over-200-feet-at-mac-wilkins-all-comers-meet-in-portland-or |url-status=live }} This mark was also the Oregon high school state record until Sam Crouser broke it the following year. Crouser won both the 5 kg shot put and the 1.5 kg discus at the 2009 National Youth Championships. This performance qualified him to represent the United States in both events at the 2009 World Youth Championships in Bressanone, Italy. There, he won gold in shot put with a championship record throw of 21.56 m and silver in discus.{{cite web |url=http://www.milesplit.com/articles/24264/crouser-wins-shot-with-championship-record-at-world-youths |author=Oddi, Vicky |publisher=MileSplit |title=Crouser wins shot with championship record at World Youths |date=July 11, 2009 |access-date=June 22, 2016 |archive-date=August 26, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160826234253/http://www.milesplit.com/articles/24264/crouser-wins-shot-with-championship-record-at-world-youths |url-status=live }}
In his senior year in 2011, Crouser broke the national high school indoor record in the 5.44 kg (12 lb) shot put with a throw of 23.54 m.{{cite web |author=Mauldin |first=Tom |date=2011-02-23 |title=With 1 record down, Ryan Crouser shifts to others |url=http://www.maxpreps.com/news/article.aspx?articleid=ba7bf82f-4f3e-e011-a486-001cc494a4ac&page=1 |access-date=2024-01-01 |publisher=MaxPreps.com |archive-date=June 30, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160630200351/http://www.maxpreps.com/news/article.aspx?articleid=ba7bf82f-4f3e-e011-a486-001cc494a4ac&page=1 |url-status=live }}{{cite magazine |author=Shepard, Jack |title=High School All-Time Top 10s – Men |url=http://www.trackandfieldnews.com/index.php/tafn-lists?list_id=34&sex_id=M&yyear=2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160531033203/http://trackandfieldnews.com/index.php/tafn-lists?list_id=34&sex_id=M&yyear=2008 |archive-date=May 31, 2016 |access-date=June 22, 2016 |magazine=Track & Field News}} This performance marked a rebound from Crouser's junior year, when he was hampered by a foot injury. As a senior, Crouser also broke the national high school record in the discus by throwing 72.40 m to break Mason Finley's record from 2009. After graduating from Barlow High School in 2011, Crouser enrolled at the University of Texas at Austin, rather than keep with his family's tradition of attending the University of Oregon.
Collegiate competition
Crouser competed for the University of Texas at Austin from 2012 to 2016, where he won four NCAA titles in the shot put.{{Cite web |title=Athlete biography - Ryan Crouser |url=https://texassports.com/sports/track-and-field/roster/ryan-crouser/6070 |access-date=2024-01-01 |website=University of Texas Athletics |language=en |archive-date=January 1, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240101040000/https://texassports.com/sports/track-and-field/roster/ryan-crouser/6070 |url-status=live }} As a freshman, he dealt with a torn ligament in his throwing hand and illness, leading him to redshirt the 2013 indoor season.{{Cite web |last=Miguel |first=Louis San |date=2013-04-02 |title=Ryan Crouser strives through injuries to earn Texas Relays win |url=https://thedailytexan.com/2013/04/02/ryan-crouser-strives-through-injuries-to-earn-texas-relays-win/ |access-date=2024-01-01 |website=The Daily Texan |archive-date=January 1, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240101040000/https://thedailytexan.com/2013/04/02/ryan-crouser-strives-through-injuries-to-earn-texas-relays-win/ |url-status=live }} His first title came as a sophomore at the 2013 NCAA Outdoor Championships, where he threw 21.09 m. Crouser, who had been successful academically, began to struggle with the heavy workload during his second year and opted to switch his major from engineering to economics.{{Cite web |last=Eggers |first=Kerry |date=2014-05-27 |title=Is Ryan Crouser ready to take a shot at a collegiate record? |url=https://www.portlandtribune.com/sports/is-ryan-crouser-ready-to-take-a-shot-at-a-collegiate-record/article_d3e643a1-96b3-50b0-8250-1c88f971a8d0.html |access-date=2024-01-01 |website=PortlandTribune.com |language=en |archive-date=January 1, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240101044259/https://www.portlandtribune.com/sports/is-ryan-crouser-ready-to-take-a-shot-at-a-collegiate-record/article_d3e643a1-96b3-50b0-8250-1c88f971a8d0.html |url-status=dead }}
In his third year at the university, Crouser won another national title in the shot put at the 2014 NCAA Indoor Championships in March, throwing 21.21 m to defeat Stephen Mozia (20.06 m).{{Cite news |date=2014-06-16 |title=UT's Crouser wins second straight NCAA shot put title |work=Austin American-Statesman |url=https://www.statesman.com/story/news/2014/06/16/uts-crouser-wins-second-straight-ncaa-shot-put-title/9796461007/ |access-date=2023-12-31 |archive-date=January 1, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240101044259/https://www.statesman.com/story/news/2014/06/16/uts-crouser-wins-second-straight-ncaa-shot-put-title/9796461007/ |url-status=live }} The following summer, the 21-year-old won his third national title in the shot put at the 2014 NCAA Outdoor Championships, recording a mark of 21.12 m. During this event, Crouser injured his left foot on his final throw after it collided with the toe board of the shot circle, leading him to withdraw from the discus event at these championships.{{Cite web |last=Goe |first=Ken |date=2014-06-12 |title=Ryan Crouser of Texas wins the shot, but it's a painful day for the former Barlow star |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/trackandfield/2014/06/ryan_crouser_of_texas_wins_the.html |access-date=2024-01-01 |website=oregonlive |language=en |archive-date=January 1, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240101044259/https://www.oregonlive.com/trackandfield/2014/06/ryan_crouser_of_texas_wins_the.html |url-status=live }} In his fourth year, he placed second behind Stipe Žunić at the 2015 NCAA Indoor Championships, reaching 20.93 m on his best attempt to Žunić's 21.11 m.{{Cite web |last=Goe |first=Ken |date=2015-03-16 |title=Philsophical Crouser is second at the NCAA Indoor |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/trackandfield/2015/03/monday_morning_news_notes_link_12.html |access-date=2024-01-01 |website=oregonlive |language=en |archive-date=January 1, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240101044300/https://www.oregonlive.com/trackandfield/2015/03/monday_morning_news_notes_link_12.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Landells |first=Steve |date=2017-06-12 |title=Moving from kick-boxing to athletics, Zunic finds his groove |url=https://worldathletics.org/news/feature/stipe-zunic-croatia-shot-put |access-date=2024-01-01 |website=worldathletics.org |archive-date=January 1, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240101044259/https://worldathletics.org/news/feature/stipe-zunic-croatia-shot-put |url-status=live }} At the 2015 NCAA Outdoor Championships, Crouser placed fifth in both the shot put and the discus.
Due to red-shirting the 2013 indoor season, Crouser had one more winter of collegiate eligibility left, which he used for the 2016 indoor season. The fifth-year senior recorded a personal best of 21.73 m at the 2016 Big 12 Indoor Championships. This performance matched Ryan Whiting's 2008 collegiate indoor record{{cite web |author=Mills, Steven |date=February 28, 2016 |title=Maslak prepares for Portland with Czech 200m title – indoor round-up |url=http://www.iaaf.org/news/report/maslak-200m-czech-championships |access-date=June 22, 2016 |publisher=International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) |archive-date=June 28, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160628100118/http://www.iaaf.org/news/report/maslak-200m-czech-championships |url-status=live }} and was the farthest throw in the event so far that year.{{Cite web |last=Goe |first=Ken |date=2016-02-29 |title=Ex-Barlow star Ryan Crouser is an Olympic contender |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/trackandfield/2016/02/monday_morning_news_notes_link_35.html |access-date=2024-03-03 |website=oregonlive |language=en |archive-date=March 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240303221833/https://www.oregonlive.com/trackandfield/2016/02/monday_morning_news_notes_link_35.html |url-status=live }} Later that winter, Crouser secured his second collegiate indoor title and fourth title overall with his victory at the 2016 NCAA Indoor Championships.{{Cite web |last=Mussatto |first=Joe |date=2016-06-30 |title=Ryan Crouser, 2016 NCAA indoor champion, enters Olympic trials as local favorite in shot put |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/trackandfield/2016/06/ryan_crouser_enters_olympic_tr.html |access-date=2024-03-03 |website=oregonlive |language=en |archive-date=March 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240303141520/https://www.oregonlive.com/trackandfield/2016/06/ryan_crouser_enters_olympic_tr.html |url-status=live }} In June 2016, he was named a semi-finalist for the Bowerman, an award given by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association to the year's outstanding student-athlete.{{Cite web |last=Mayforth |first=Tyler |date=2016-06-16 |title=2016 Men's Semifinalists For The Bowerman Award |url=https://www.ustfccca.org/2016/06/featured/2016-mens-semifinalists-for-the-bowerman-award-announced |access-date=2024-01-01 |website=The Bowerman |archive-date=January 1, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240101035959/https://www.ustfccca.org/2016/06/featured/2016-mens-semifinalists-for-the-bowerman-award-announced |url-status=live }}
Senior competition
= 2016–2018: Gold medal at the Rio Olympics =
{{multiple image
|align = right
|direction = vertical
|width = 220
|image_gap =
|image1 = Ryan Crouser Rio 2016.jpg
|alt1 =
|caption1 = Crouser raises his fist in victory.
|image2 = Noite de atletismo no Engenhão 1038903-18.08.2016 ffz-7672.jpg
|alt2 =
|caption2 = Tomas Walsh (left), Joe Kovacs (center), and Crouser (right)
|footer = Crouser wins the shot put final at the 2016 Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro
}}
While preparing for the 2016 US Olympics trials, Crouser pursued a master's degree in finance at the University of Texas.{{Cite web |last=Eggers |first=Kerry |date=2016-06-21 |title=Ryan Crouser ready for shot at Rio Olympics |url=https://www.portlandtribune.com/sports/ryan-crouser-ready-for-shot-at-rio-olympics/article_7dcf6a4a-d285-59e0-9c33-d719a065da01.html |access-date=2023-12-30 |website=PortlandTribune.com |language=en |archive-date=December 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231231001629/https://www.portlandtribune.com/sports/ryan-crouser-ready-for-shot-at-rio-olympics/article_7dcf6a4a-d285-59e0-9c33-d719a065da01.html |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web |last=Casey |first=Tim |date=2019-02-08 |title=Ryan Crouser Is Chasing Another Olympic Gold Medal, Delaying Finance Career |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/timcasey/2019/02/08/ryan-crouser-is-chasing-another-olympic-gold-medal-delaying-finance-career/ |access-date=2023-12-31 |website=Forbes |language=en |archive-date=December 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231231023958/https://www.forbes.com/sites/timcasey/2019/02/08/ryan-crouser-is-chasing-another-olympic-gold-medal-delaying-finance-career/ |url-status=live }} He trained under Mac Wilkins, a former Olympic champion in the discus. At the trials, Crouser defeated the reigning world champion, Joe Kovacs, to win his first national title and qualify for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. On August 8, Crouser won the gold medal in the event, setting an Olympic record with his throw of 22.52 m.{{Cite web |date=2016-08-09 |title=Texas's Ryan Crouser sets Olympic record to win gold |url=https://www.ncaa.com/news/trackfield-outdoor-men/article/2016-08-19/rio-2016-texas-ryan-crouser-sets-olympic-shot-put |access-date=2023-12-30 |website=www.ncaa.com |language=en |archive-date=June 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230602193803/https://www.ncaa.com/news/trackfield-outdoor-men/article/2016-08-19/rio-2016-texas-ryan-crouser-sets-olympic-shot-put |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Myerberg |first=Paul |date=2016-08-18 |title=USA's Ryan Crouser dominates men's shot put to grab gold |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/rio-2016/2016/08/18/ryan-crouser-joe-kovacs-usa-track-and-field-mens-shot-put-finals-results/88972680/ |access-date=2023-12-30 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US |archive-date=December 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231231001629/https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/rio-2016/2016/08/18/ryan-crouser-joe-kovacs-usa-track-and-field-mens-shot-put-finals-results/88972680/ |url-status=live }} He was the first American man to win the event since 2004.
Crouser won another national title in the shot put in June 2017{{Cite web |date=2017-06-25 |title=Dalilah Muhammad leads a run of world bests in USA track championships |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/2017/06/25/dalilah-muhammad-leads-run-world-bests-usa-track-championships/427144001/ |access-date=2024-03-02 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US |archive-date=March 2, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240302183800/https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/2017/06/25/dalilah-muhammad-leads-run-world-bests-usa-track-championships/427144001/ |url-status=live }} and competed in the event at the 2017 World Championships in London, where he finished sixth.{{Cite web |last=Gretschel |first=Johanna |date=2017-08-07 |title=Defending Champion Joe Kovacs Takes Silver In Protest-Filled Shot Put Final |url=https://www.flotrack.org/articles/5967422-defending-champion-joe-kovacs-takes-silver-in-protest-filled-shot-put-final |access-date=2024-03-02 |website=FloTrack |language=en |archive-date=March 2, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240302183802/https://www.flotrack.org/articles/5967422-defending-champion-joe-kovacs-takes-silver-in-protest-filled-shot-put-final |url-status=live }} At the 2018 USA Outdoor Championships on June 23, he placed second with a throw of 20.99 m, behind Darrell Hill's 21.57 m.{{Cite web |last=Johnson |first=Dave |date=2018-07-01 |title=USATF Men's Shot — Hill Stakes His Claim For Greatness |url=https://trackandfieldnews.com/article/usatf-mens-shot-hill-stakes-his-claim-for-greatness/ |access-date=2024-03-02 |website=Track & Field News |language=en-US |archive-date=March 2, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240302183800/https://trackandfieldnews.com/article/usatf-mens-shot-hill-stakes-his-claim-for-greatness/ |url-status=live }} In the 2018 Diamond League, an annual series of international competitions, he won in Eugene with a throw of 22.53 m,{{Cite web |last=LetsRun.com |date=2018-05-26 |title=The Rest of The Meet: Noah Lyles Runs 19.69, Ryan Crouser and Jenn Suhr Break Meet Records, and A New Steeple Star Arrives? |url=https://www.letsrun.com/news/2018/05/rest-meet-noah-lyles-runs-19-69-ryan-crouser-jenn-suhr-break-meet-records-new-steeple-star-arrives/ |access-date=2024-03-02 |website=LetsRun.com |language=en |archive-date=March 2, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240302184306/https://www.letsrun.com/news/2018/05/rest-meet-noah-lyles-runs-19-69-ryan-crouser-jenn-suhr-break-meet-records-new-steeple-star-arrives/ |url-status=live }} in Monaco with 22.05 m,{{Cite web |last=Rowbottom |first=Mike |date=2018-07-19 |title=Crouser and Gong take portside shot put wins in Monaco |url=https://worldathletics.org/news/report/crouser-gong-win-monaco-diamond-league |access-date=2024-03-02 |website=worldathletics.org |archive-date=March 2, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240302191926/https://worldathletics.org/news/report/crouser-gong-win-monaco-diamond-league |url-status=live }} and in Zagreb with 22.09 m.{{Cite web |last=Mulkeen |first=Jon |date=2018-09-03 |title=Crouser beyond 22 metres again in Zagreb |url=https://worldathletics.org/news/report/zagreb-world-challenge-hanzekovic-crouser-201 |access-date=2024-03-02 |website=worldathletics.org |archive-date=March 2, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240302191925/https://worldathletics.org/news/report/zagreb-world-challenge-hanzekovic-crouser-201 |url-status=live }}
= 2019: Silver medalist in Doha =
File:2019 USA Indoor Track and Field Championships (40256242863).jpg]]
Crouser began competition in 2019 with a victory at the Millrose Games in New York on February 9, achieving a throw of 22.33 m. He followed this performance with another victory at the 2019 USA Indoor Championships on the February 23.{{Cite web |last=Goe |first=Ken |date=2019-02-24 |title=Ryan Crouser and Colleen Quigley claim USA Track & Field indoor titles |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/sports/2019/02/ryan-crouser-and-colleen-quigley-claim-usa-track-field-indoor-titles.html |access-date=2023-12-31 |website=oregonlive |language=en |archive-date=December 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231231023958/https://www.oregonlive.com/sports/2019/02/ryan-crouser-and-colleen-quigley-claim-usa-track-field-indoor-titles.html |url-status=live }} In July, he won a national title at the 2019 USA Outdoor Championships, qualifying him for the 2019 World Championships in Qatar. At the World Championships on October 5, Crouser threw a personal best (22.90 m) to finish behind Joe Kovacs (22.91 m), in what World Athletics called the "greatest – and closest – shot put competition ever".{{Cite web |last=Mulkeen |first=John |date=2019-10-05 |title=Report: men's shot put - IAAF World Athletics Championships Doha 2019 |url=https://worldathletics.org/news/report/world-championships-doha-2019-mens-shot-put-r |access-date=2023-12-30 |website=worldathletics.org |archive-date=March 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230325204831/https://www.worldathletics.org/news/report/world-championships-doha-2019-mens-shot-put-r |url-status=live }}
= 2020: Fourth best throw ever amid COVID-19 pandemic =
Crouser started the year with victories in the shot put at the Millrose Games and the 2020 USA Indoor Championships.{{Cite web |last=Goe |first=Ken |date=2020-02-16 |title=Josh Thompson holds on to win the USATF indoor 1,500; Ryan Crouser's big throw claims the shot |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/sports/2020/02/josh-thompson-holds-on-to-win-the-usatf-indoor-1500-ryan-crousers-big-throw-claims-the-shot.html |access-date=2023-12-31 |website=oregonlive |language=en |archive-date=December 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231231023958/https://www.oregonlive.com/sports/2020/02/josh-thompson-holds-on-to-win-the-usatf-indoor-1500-ryan-crousers-big-throw-claims-the-shot.html |url-status=live }} His competition schedule was halted until July due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused the postponement of the 2020 Summer Games and the disruption of the international sports calendar. To cope with the frustration of these shutdowns and maintain his competitive edge, Crouser took part in bass fishing tournaments.{{Cite news |last=Longman |first=Jeré |date=2020-08-30 |title=The Pandemic's Secret Formula: Backyard Workouts and Lots of Sleep |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/30/sports/olympics/pandemic-olympics-training.html |access-date=2023-12-30 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=December 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231230220125/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/30/sports/olympics/pandemic-olympics-training.html |url-status=live }} He also built his own shot put ring near his home. On July 19, he resumed competition at the American Track League Meet, achieving a personal best of 22.91 m and the fourth best mark in history. The American ended the year undefeated in all 10 meets in which he participated.{{Cite web |date=2020-11-26 |title=Focus on finalists: Ryan Crouser and Sifan Hassan |url=https://worldathletics.org/awards/news/focus-finalists-crouser-hassan |access-date=2024-03-02 |website=worldathletics.org |archive-date=March 2, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240302194445/https://worldathletics.org/awards/news/focus-finalists-crouser-hassan |url-status=live }}
= 2021: World record and gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics =
On January 24, Crouser set a world record for the indoor shot put at the American Track League meet. His throw of 22.82 m bested the previous record of 22.66 m that was set by Randy Barnes in 1989.{{Cite web |last=Rosen |first=Karen |date=2021-01-25 |title=Ryan Crouser Shatters World Indoor Record in Shot Put In First Major North American Meet of 2021 |url=https://www.teamusa.com/news/2021/january/25/ryan-crouser-shatters-world-indoor-record-in-shot-put-in-first-major-north-american-meet-of-2021 |access-date=2023-12-31 |website=www.teamusa.com |language=en |archive-date=December 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231231022019/https://www.teamusa.com/news/2021/january/25/ryan-crouser-shatters-world-indoor-record-in-shot-put-in-first-major-north-american-meet-of-2021 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Johnson |first=Robert |date=2020-01-24 |title=Ryan Crouser Shatters Indoor Shot Put World Record With 22.82m (74'10.5") Heave |url=https://www.letsrun.com/news/2021/01/ryan-crouser-shatters-indoor-shot-put-world-record-with-22-82m-7410-5-heave/ |access-date=2023-12-31 |website=LetsRun.com |language=en |archive-date=December 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231231022016/https://www.letsrun.com/news/2021/01/ryan-crouser-shatters-indoor-shot-put-world-record-with-22-82m-7410-5-heave/ |url-status=live }} The 28-year old recorded another world record at the 2020 US Olympic trials in July 2021. He threw 23.37 m, eclipsing the previous outdoor world record of 23.12 m held by Barnes since 1990.{{Cite web |last=Taranto |first=Steven |date=2021-06-19 |title=Tokyo Olympics 2021: Ryan Crouser breaks shot put world record during U.S. Olympic Trials |url=https://www.cbssports.com/olympics/news/tokyo-olympics-2021-ryan-crouser-breaks-shot-put-world-record-during-u-s-olympic-trials/ |access-date=2023-12-31 |website=CBSSports.com |language=en |archive-date=December 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231231005610/https://www.cbssports.com/olympics/news/tokyo-olympics-2021-ryan-crouser-breaks-shot-put-world-record-during-u-s-olympic-trials/ |url-status=live }} His record-breaking throw was ratified by World Athletics on August 11, 2021.{{Cite web |last=World Athletics |date=2021-08-11 |title=Ratified: world records for Crouser, McLaughlin, Knighton and Kosonen |url=https://worldathletics.org/news/press-releases/ratified-world-record-crouser-mclaughlin-knighton-kosonen?type=press-releases&type=press-releases&type=press-releases&type=press-releases&urlslug=ratified-world-record-crouser-mclaughlin-knighton-kosonen&urlslug=ratified-world-record-crouser-mclaughlin-knighton-kosonen&urlslug=ratified-world-record-crouser-mclaughlin-knighton-kosonen&urlslug=ratified-world-record-crouser-mclaughlin-knighton-kosonen&urlslug=ratified-world-record-crouser-mclaughlin-knighton-kosonen&type=press-releases |access-date=2023-12-31 |website=worldathletics.org |archive-date=May 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230528110145/https://worldathletics.org/news/press-releases/ratified-world-record-crouser-mclaughlin-knighton-kosonen?type=press-releases&type=press-releases&type=press-releases&type=press-releases&urlslug=ratified-world-record-crouser-mclaughlin-knighton-kosonen&urlslug=ratified-world-record-crouser-mclaughlin-knighton-kosonen&urlslug=ratified-world-record-crouser-mclaughlin-knighton-kosonen&urlslug=ratified-world-record-crouser-mclaughlin-knighton-kosonen&urlslug=ratified-world-record-crouser-mclaughlin-knighton-kosonen&type=press-releases |url-status=live }} At the 2020 Summer Games in Tokyo, Crouser defended his Olympic title, winning gold and setting an Olympic record of 23.30 m.{{Cite news |last=Goldman |first=Tom |date=2021-08-05 |title=USA's Ryan Crouser Sets Olympic Shot Put Record And Wins Gold Again |work=National Public Radio |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/tokyo-olympics-live-updates/2021/08/05/1025012458/usas-ryan-crouser-sets-olympic-shot-put-record-and-wins-gold-again |access-date=2023-12-30 |archive-date=December 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231231005606/https://www.npr.org/sections/tokyo-olympics-live-updates/2021/08/05/1025012458/usas-ryan-crouser-sets-olympic-shot-put-record-and-wins-gold-again |url-status=live }} Out of his six throws at these Games, three exceeded the previous Olympic record.
Crouser was named the World Male Athlete of the Year by Track & Field News{{Cite web |last=Hollobaugh |first=Jeff |date=2022-01-01 |title=2021 Men's Athlete Of The Year — Ryan Crouser |url=https://trackandfieldnews.com/article/2021-mens-athlete-of-the-year-ryan-crouser/ |access-date=2023-12-31 |website=Track & Field News |language=en-US |archive-date=January 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220109224600/https://trackandfieldnews.com/article/2021-mens-athlete-of-the-year-ryan-crouser/ |url-status=live }} and received the Jesse Owens Award from USA Track & Field.{{Cite web |last=USA Track & Field |date=2021-12-03 |title=USATF End of Year Awards Announced |url=https://usatf.org/news/2021/usatf-end-of-year-awards-announced |access-date=2023-12-31 |website=usatf.org |archive-date=January 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220110012227/https://www.usatf.org/news/2021/usatf-end-of-year-awards-announced |url-status=live }} He was also a finalist for the World Athlete of the Year by World Athletics.{{Cite web |last=World Athletics |date=2020-10-30 |title=Finalists announced for Male World Athlete of the Year 2020 |url=https://www.worldathletics.org/news/press-releases/Male-Athlete-Year-2020-finalists |access-date=November 24, 2020 |website=www.worldathletics.org |archive-date=November 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201123120538/https://www.worldathletics.org/news/press-releases/Male-Athlete-Year-2020-finalists |url-status=live }} His achievements in 2021 included the three farthest throws in history, nine of the top ten marks of the year, maintaining an undefeated streak since 2019, and winning the Diamond League final. He also reached a career total of 163 throws over 22 m by the end of the season – the highest ever recorded and accounting for more than a third of all 22-m throws in the history of the sport.
= 2022: Gold medalist in Eugene =
File:2022 World Athletics Championship Shot Put Medalists.jpg (left), Joe Kovacs (center), and Crouser (right)]]
On February 27, Crouser finished first in the shot put at the 2022 USA Indoor Track and Field Championships.{{Cite web |date=2022-02-27 |title=Scantling and Crouser book Belgrade places with world-leading victories at US Indoor Championships |url=https://worldathletics.org/news/report/us-indoor-championships-2022-sec-acc |access-date=2024-03-02 |website=worldathletics.org |archive-date=February 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228125051/https://worldathletics.org/news/report/us-indoor-championships-2022-sec-acc |url-status=live }} The following month, the American traveled to Serbia to contest the event at the 2022 World Athletics Indoor Championships. He earned a silver medal, behind Brazilian Darlan Romani. Crouser's performance came amid nerve-related issues in his throwing arm.{{Cite web |last=Dennehy |first=Cathal |date=2022-07-04 |title=Ryan Crouser and his pursuit of perfection |url=https://worldathletics.org/news/feature/ryan-crouser-usa-shot-put-perfection |access-date=2023-12-31 |website=worldathletics.org |archive-date=December 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231231022018/https://worldathletics.org/news/feature/ryan-crouser-usa-shot-put-perfection |url-status=live }} The following summer, on June 24, the 29-year old won a national title in the shot put, which qualified him to participate in the event at the 2022 World Championships in Eugene. Later that month at the world championships, Crouser won his first world title in the event with a throw of 22.94 m. His victory led an American sweep of the podium, with compatriots Joe Kovacs and Josh Awotunde taking silver and bronze.{{Cite web |last=Hatler |first=Chris |date=2022-07-18 |title=Ryan Crouser Leads an American Sweep in the Men's Shot Put |url=https://www.runnersworld.com/news/a40635978/world-championships-shot-put-results/ |access-date=2023-12-31 |website=Runner's World |language=en-US |archive-date=December 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231231011213/https://www.runnersworld.com/news/a40635978/world-championships-shot-put-results/ |url-status=live }}
= 2023: World record and gold medalist in Budapest =
In 2023, Crouser bettered his own world record in the shot put, earned gold at the 2023 World Championships, and won 13 of his 14 competitions. His world record came on 27 May at the Los Angeles Grand Prix, where he threw 23.56 m.{{Cite web |last=Greif |first=Andrew |date=2023-05-28 |title=History's best shot putter smashes world record with new technique at L.A. Grand Prix |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/olympics/story/2023-05-27/los-angeles-grand-prix-ryan-crouser-shot-put-record |access-date=2023-12-30 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US |archive-date=October 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231010181840/https://www.latimes.com/sports/olympics/story/2023-05-27/los-angeles-grand-prix-ryan-crouser-shot-put-record |url-status=live }} The 30-year old attributed the performance to his development of a new technique, which he refers to as the "step-across".{{Cite news |last=Poole |first=Harry |date=2023-07-31 |title=Why the 'Crouser Slide' is the new Fosbury Flop |language=en-GB |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/athletics/66312451 |access-date=2023-12-30 |archive-date=December 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231230202703/https://www.bbc.com/sport/athletics/66312451 |url-status=live }} This method adds a lateral stepping motion across the throwing circle that is designed to optimize balance and power. On July 9, Crouser won another national title in the shot put at the 2023 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships.{{Cite web |last=Goe |first=Ken |date=2023-07-10 |title=Two-time Olympic gold medalist Ryan Crouser cruises to shot put gold, highlighting final day of USATF Outdoor Championships |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/sports/2023/07/two-time-olympic-gold-medalist-ryan-crouser-cruises-to-shot-put-gold-highlighting-final-day-of-usatf-outdoor-championships.html |access-date=2023-12-30 |website=oregonlive |language=en |archive-date=December 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231230202705/https://www.oregonlive.com/sports/2023/07/two-time-olympic-gold-medalist-ryan-crouser-cruises-to-shot-put-gold-highlighting-final-day-of-usatf-outdoor-championships.html |url-status=live }} This performance qualified him to represent the United States at 2023 World Championships later that month in Budapest, Hungary. Before he left for Budapest, a medical exam uncovered two blood clots in Crouser's legs, prompting him to take blood thinners to reduce the risk of complications while competing.{{Cite web |last=Greif |first=Andrew |date=2023-08-19 |title=Ryan Crouser wins shot put world championship gold again amid blood clot scare |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/olympics/story/2023-08-19/ryan-crouser-shot-put-world-championships-gold-blood-clots |access-date=2023-12-30 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US |archive-date=December 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231230202703/https://www.latimes.com/sports/olympics/story/2023-08-19/ryan-crouser-shot-put-world-championships-gold-blood-clots |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |date=2023-08-20 |title=American Ryan Crouser overcomes blood clot to claim shot put world title |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/aug/19/ryan-crouser-shot-put-world-championships |access-date=2023-12-30 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=December 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231230202738/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/aug/19/ryan-crouser-shot-put-world-championships |url-status=live }} In Budapest, Crouser won his second world title and established a World Championship record of 23.51 m. The American finished his season at the Prefontaine Classic on September 17, where he experienced his first loss of the year to Joe Kovacs.{{Cite web |last=Battaglia |first=Joe |date=2023-09-17 |title=Joe Kovacs Edges Ryan Crouser For Diamond League Men's Shot Put Title - FloTrack |url=https://www.flotrack.org/articles/11225497-joe-kovacs-edges-ryan-crouser-for-diamond-league-mens-shot-put-title |access-date=2023-12-30 |website=www.flotrack.org |language=en |archive-date=December 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231230202704/https://www.flotrack.org/articles/11225497-joe-kovacs-edges-ryan-crouser-for-diamond-league-mens-shot-put-title |url-status=live }} Following the season, World Athletics announced Crouser as a finalist for World Athlete of the Year.{{Cite web |last=World Athletics |date=2023-11-18 |title=Focus on finalists: Ryan Crouser |url=https://worldathletics.org/awards/news/focus-athlete-year-finalists-2023-ryan-crouser |access-date=2023-12-30 |website=worldathletics.org |archive-date=December 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231230202705/https://worldathletics.org/awards/news/focus-athlete-year-finalists-2023-ryan-crouser |url-status=live }}
= 2024: Gold medalist in Glasgow and Paris =
In February, Crouser won his fourth national title in the indoor shot put at the 2024 USA Indoor Track and Field Championships in Albuquerque, with a mark of 22.80 m.{{Cite web |last=Woods |first=David |date=2024-02-18 |title=Ryan Crouser, Noah Lyles take significant steps toward first world indoor titles with victories at USATF Indoor Championships |url=https://www.dyestat.com/gprofile.php?mgroup_id=44531&do=news&news_id=668057 |access-date=2024-02-19 |website=DyeStat.com |archive-date=February 19, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240219162200/https://www.dyestat.com/gprofile.php?mgroup_id=44531&do=news&news_id=668057 |url-status=live }} This throw qualified him for the 2024 World Athletics Indoor Championship, where he put the shot 22.77 m to win the first World Indoor Championship of his career.{{Cite web |last=Harrington |first=Joe |date=2024-03-01 |title=World Athletics Indoor Championships 2024 Results: Here's Who Won |url=https://www.flotrack.org/articles/12216483-world-athletics-indoor-championships-2024-results-heres-who-won |access-date=2024-03-01 |website=FloTrack |language=en |archive-date=March 1, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240301234807/https://www.flotrack.org/articles/12216483-world-athletics-indoor-championships-2024-results-heres-who-won |url-status=live }} Crouser's throw was 70 cm farther than the second-place finisher, Tom Walsh. At the 2024 Olympic Trials in June, Crouser won his seventh national title in the shot put, defeating second-place finisher Joe Kovacs and earning another berth to the Olympic Games.{{Cite web |last=Denney |first=Jarrid |title=Ryan Crouser pushes through pain to capture seventh U.S. shot put title |url=https://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/sports/2024/06/22/ryan-crouser-shot-put-title-usatf-paris-olympics/74184326007/ |access-date=2024-06-23 |website=Statesman Journal |language=en-US}}
At the 2024 Olympic Games, Crouser won the shot put, becoming the first athlete to win gold medals in the event at three consecutive Games.{{Cite web |last=Dragon |first=Tyler |title=Ryan Crouser wins historic Olympic three-peat in shot put |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/2024/08/03/ryan-crouser-wins-third-olympic-gold-shot-put/74654748007/ |access-date=2024-08-03 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US}} The victory came after Crouser dealt with injury earlier in the year. Marcus Thompson of The Athletic wrote: "What makes this one extra special is Crouser, at one point this year, thought his career was over".{{Cite news |last=II |first=Marcus Thompson |title=Ryan Crouser cements shot put dominance with third straight Olympic gold |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5678457/2024/08/03/ryan-crouser-shot-put-olympics-gold/ |access-date=2024-08-03 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}
= 2025 =
Crouser spearheaded the creation of the World Shot Put Series, with the inaugural event taking place in April 2025.{{Cite web |last=Reister |first=Scott |date=2025-04-24 |title=First-ever World Shot Put Series ends in dramatic fashion |url=https://www.kcci.com/article/first-ever-world-shot-put-series-ends-in-dramatic-fashion/64571023 |access-date=2025-04-25 |website=KCCI |language=en}} The event featured a unique format, in which athletes needed to best competitors to avoid eliminations. Crouser finished fifth in the competition.{{Cite web |last=Hof-Mahoney |first=Paul |date=2025-03-20 |title=Ryan Crouser’s World Shot Put Series to Debut at 2025 Drake Relays with Innovative Format |url=https://citiusmag.com/articles/ryan-crouser-world-shot-put-series-debut-drake-relays-details |access-date=2025-04-25 |website=CITIUS MAG |language=en}}
Training regimen and coaching
Crouser's training regimen consists of 20- to 40-meter sprints three times a week and three weekly sessions of dynamic jumping exercises like box jumps and bounding to enhance his agility and power.{{Cite web |last=Cohen |first=Danielle |date=2021-08-05 |title=The Real-Life Diet of Shot Put GOAT Ryan Crouser, Who Aims to Never Be Hungry |url=https://www.gq.com/story/real-life-diet-ryan-crouser |access-date=2023-12-31 |website=GQ |language=en-US |archive-date=December 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231231184148/https://www.gq.com/story/real-life-diet-ryan-crouser |url-status=live }} He also uses an agility ladder to improve his footwork. For his core discipline, he practices shot put four to five times a week, each session involving 20 to 40 throws and lasting 90 to 120 minutes. Crouser draws training techniques from MMA and baseball pitching, focusing on the similarities in rotational power and body mechanics to increase the velocity and energy transfer in his throws.{{Cite web |last=Cason |first=Chris |date=2023-02-10 |title=Ryan Crouser Tips To Be The World's Best In Shot Put |url=https://www.muscleandfitness.com/athletes-celebrities/pro-tips/ryan-crouser-tips-to-be-the-worlds-best-in-shot-put/ |access-date=2023-12-31 |website=Muscle & Fitness |language=en-US |archive-date=December 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231231184147/https://www.muscleandfitness.com/athletes-celebrities/pro-tips/ryan-crouser-tips-to-be-the-worlds-best-in-shot-put/ |url-status=live }} He has also incorporated radar technology to refine his throws. The technology, traditionally used by golfers to track their shots, enables Crouser to measure the angle and velocity of his throws.{{Cite news |last=Longman |first=Jeré |date=2024-08-01 |title=How Golf and Physics Are Raising the Limits in Shot-Put |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/01/world/olympics/ryan-crouser-shotput-team-usa-trackman.html |access-date=2024-08-02 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}
In terms of nutrition, Crouser consumes around 5,500 to 6,000 calories daily during the competitive season.{{Cite web |last=Carlson |first=Adam |date=2021-02-21 |title=Inside the Insane Diet and World Record-Smashing Career of Olympic Gold Medalist Ryan Crouser |url=https://people.com/sports/ryan-crouser-shot-put-training-world-record/ |access-date=2023-12-31 |website=Peoplemag |language=en |archive-date=December 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231231184156/https://people.com/sports/ryan-crouser-shot-put-training-world-record/ |url-status=live }} His diet is structured into five meals of approximately 1,000 calories each, which he supplements by snacking to maintain consistent levels of energy. His meals mainly consist of lean proteins, including chicken and ground beef, along with brown rice and quinoa. In an interview with GQ, he talked about the nutritional requirements to support his 6’7, 320 pound frame: "Food is almost a part of training for me. I'm eating on a set schedule that makes sure I never get hungry." He was also captured in the New York Times as stating that he follows each of his five daily meals with 16 ounces of milk, amounting to half a gallon a day.{{Cite news |last=Crouse |first=Lindsay |date=2019-02-26 |title=The Glamorous Existence of the World's Greatest Shot-Putters |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/26/sports/shot-put-ryan-crouser-joe-kovacs.html |access-date=2023-12-31 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=December 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231231184147/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/26/sports/shot-put-ryan-crouser-joe-kovacs.html |url-status=live }}
In December 2019, Crouser moved from the United States Olympic Training Center in San Diego to the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, where he took a position as a volunteer coach for the men's track and field team.{{Cite web |last=Parkinson |first=Kyle |date=2019-12-13 |title=Former Olympian Crouser joins men's track & field |url=https://arkansasrazorbacks.com/former-olympian-crouser-joins-mens-track-field/ |access-date=2023-12-31 |website=Arkansas Razorbacks |language=en-US |archive-date=December 15, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191215052458/https://arkansasrazorbacks.com/former-olympian-crouser-joins-mens-track-field/ |url-status=live }} Crouser has described being a coach of college students as helping him to stay excited about competing and to maintain a positive outlook. In March 2024, he stated, "It can be helpful to have the college kids there for perspective. I was in their shoes once, and look at far how I've come."{{Cite web |last=Zaccardi |first=Nick |date=2024-03-22 |title=Ryan Crouser, best shot putter in history, does more coaching than being coached |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/olympics/news/ryan-crouser-shot-put-olympics |access-date=2024-04-01 |website=NBC Sports |language=en-US}} At the 2024 Summer Olympics, one of his Razorback mentees, Rojé Stona, broke the Olympic record in the men's discus throw to win the gold medal.{{Cite magazine |last=Faraudo |first=Jeff |date=August 7, 2024 |title=Mykolas Alekna Breaks Father's Olympic Record, Settles for Silver |url=https://www.si.com/college/cal/other-sports/mykolas-alekna-breaks-father-s-olympic-record-settles-for-silver-01j4q7zw3nbp |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240808060423/https://www.si.com/college/cal/other-sports/mykolas-alekna-breaks-father-s-olympic-record-settles-for-silver-01j4q7zw3nbp |archive-date=August 8, 2024 |access-date=August 8, 2024 |magazine=Sports Illustrated}}
Personal life
Crouser became engaged to Megan Clark in 2024.{{Cite web |last=Robinette |first=Ashlyn |date=October 18, 2024 |title=Olympian Ryan Crouser Announces Engagement to Megan Clark: 'She Said Yes!!!' |url=https://people.com/olympian-ryan-crouser-announces-engagement-to-megan-clark-8730659 |access-date=2025-06-02 |website=People.com |language=en}}
Achievements
All statistics from athlete's profile on World Athletics, unless otherwise noted.{{World Athletics|14369211}}
File:Ryan_Crouser_T.Walsh_D.Storl_Zagreb_meeting_2018.jpg in 2018]]
=International championships=
| class="wikitable sortable"
|+Achievements at international championships | |||
| scope="col"| Year
!scope="col"| Competition !scope="col"| Event !scope="col"| Distance !scope="col"| Position | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| scope="rowgroup" rowspan="2"| 2009
| World Youth Championships || Shot put || {{T&Fcalc|21.56}} ||style="text-align:center"| {{gold1}} | |||
| World Youth Championships | Discus | {{T&Fcalc|61.64}} | style="text-align:center"| {{silver2}} |
| scope="row"| 2016
| Summer Olympics || Shot put || {{T&Fcalc|22.52}} ||style="text-align:center"| {{gold1}} | |||
| scope="row"| 2017
| World Championships || Shot put || {{T&Fcalc|21.20}} ||style="text-align:center"| 6th | |||
| scope="row"| 2018
| IAAF Continental Cup|| Shot put || {{T&Fcalc|21.63}} ||style="text-align:center"| 5th | |||
| scope="row"| 2019
| World Championships || Shot put || {{T&Fcalc|22.90}} ||style="text-align:center"| {{silver2}} | |||
| scope="row"| 2021
| Summer Olympics || Shot put || {{T&Fcalc|23.30}} ||style="text-align:center"| {{gold1}} | |||
| scope="rowgroup" rowspan="2"| 2022
| World Indoor Championships || Shot put || {{T&Fcalc|22.44}} ||style="text-align:center"| {{silver2}} | |||
| World Championships | Shot put | 22.94 m (75 ft {{frac|3|1|4}} in) | style="text-align:center"| {{gold1}} |
| scope="row"| 2023
| World Championships|| Shot put || 23.51m (77 ft {{frac|1|1|2}} in) ||style="text-align:center"| {{gold1}} | |||
| scope="rowgroup" rowspan="2"| 2024
| World Indoor Championships|| Shot put || 22.71m (74 ft {{frac|8|1|2}}in) ||style="text-align:center"| {{gold1}} | |||
| Summer Olympics | Shot put | 22.90m (75 ft {{frac|1|1|2}}in) | style="text-align:center"| {{gold1}} |
=National championships=
| class="wikitable sortable"
|+Achievements at national championships | |||
| scope="col"| Year
!scope="col"| Competition !scope="col"| Event !scope="col"| Distance !scope="col"| Position | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| scope="rowgroup" rowspan="2"| 2008
| USA Youth Outdoor Championships || Shot put || {{T&Fcalc|17.48}} ||style="text-align:center"| {{gold1}} | |||
| USA Youth Outdoor Championships | Discus | {{T&Fcalc|54.94}} | style="text-align:center"| {{gold1}} |
| scope="rowgroup" rowspan="2"| 2009
| World Youth Trials || Shot put || {{T&Fcalc|21.55}} ||style="text-align:center"| {{gold1}} | |||
| World Youth Trials | Discus | {{T&Fcalc|63.33}} | style="text-align:center"| {{gold1}} |
| scope="row"| 2016
| United States Olympic Trials || Shot put || {{T&Fcalc|22.11}} ||style="text-align:center"| {{gold1}} | |||
| scope="row"| 2017
| USA Outdoor Championships || Shot put || {{T&Fcalc|22.65}} ||style="text-align:center"| {{gold1}} | |||
| scope="row"| 2018
| USA Outdoor Championships || Shot put || {{T&Fcalc|20.99}} ||style="text-align:center"| {{silver2}} | |||
| scope="rowgroup" rowspan="2"| 2019
| USA Outdoor Championships || Shot put || 22.62 m (74 ft 21⁄2 in) ||style="text-align:center"| {{gold1}} | |||
| USA Indoor Championships | Shot put | 22.22 m (72 ft 103⁄4 in) | style="text-align:center"| {{gold1}} |
| scope="row"| 2020
| USA Indoor Championships || Shot put || 22.60 m (74 ft 13⁄4 in) ||style="text-align:center"| {{gold1}} | |||
| scope="rowgroup" rowspan="2"| 2021
| USA Outdoor Championships ||rowspan="2"| Shot put ||rowspan="2"| 23.37 m (76 ft 81⁄4 in) ||rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"| {{gold1}} | |||
| United States Olympic Trials | |||
| scope="rowgroup" rowspan="2"| 2022
| USA Outdoor Championships || Shot put || 23.12 m (75 ft 10 in) ||style="text-align:center"| {{gold1}} | |||
| USA Indoor Championships | Shot put | 22.75 m (74 ft 72⁄3 in) | style="text-align:center"| {{gold1}} |
| scope="row"| 2023
| USA Outdoor Championships || Shot put || 22.86 m (75 ft 0 in) ||style="text-align:center"| {{gold1}} | |||
| scope="rowgroup" rowspan="2"| 2024
| USA Indoor Championships || Shot put || 22.80 m (74 ft 93⁄4 in) ||style="text-align:center"| {{gold1}} | |||
| USA Outdoor Championships | Shot put | 22.84 m (74 ft 112⁄9 in) | style="text-align:center"| {{gold1}} |
=NCAA championships=
| class="wikitable sortable"
|+Achievements at NCAA championships | |||
| scope="col"| Year
!scope="col"| Competition !scope="col"| Event !scope="col"| Distance !scope="col"| Position | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| scope="rowgroup" rowspan="6"| 2012
| NCAA Division I Indoor Championships || Shot put || {{T&Fcalc|19.94}} ||style="text-align:center"| 5th | |||
| Big 12 Conference Indoor Championships | Shot put | {{T&Fcalc|19.90}} | style="text-align:center"| {{gold1}} |
| rowspan=2|Big 12 Conference Outdoor Championships | Shot put | {{T&Fcalc|17.78}} | style="text-align:center"| 7th |
| Discus | {{T&Fcalc|56.01}} | style="text-align:center"| 5th | |
| rowspan=2|NCAA Division I Outdoor Championships | Shot put | {{T&Fcalc|18.50}} | style="text-align:center"| 16th |
| Discus | {{T&Fcalc|59.77}} | style="text-align:center"| 4th | |
| scope="rowgroup" rowspan="4"| 2013
| rowspan=2|Big 12 Conference Outdoor Championships || Shot put || {{T&Fcalc|21.09}} ||style="text-align:center"| {{gold1}} | |||
| Discus | {{T&Fcalc|55.42}} | style="text-align:center"| {{bronze3}} | |
| rowspan=2|NCAA Division I Outdoor Championships | Shot put | {{T&Fcalc|20.31}} | style="text-align:center"| {{gold1}} |
| Discus | {{T&Fcalc|59.21}} | style="text-align:center"| 8th | |
| scope="rowgroup" rowspan="5"| 2014
|Big 12 Conference Indoor Championships || Shot put || {{T&Fcalc|20.63}} ||style="text-align:center"| {{gold1}} | |||
| NCAA Division I Indoor Championships | Shot put | {{T&Fcalc|21.21}} | style="text-align:center"| {{gold1}} |
| rowspan=2|Big 12 Conference Indoor Championships | Shot put | {{T&Fcalc|21.39}} | style="text-align:center"| {{gold1}} |
| Discus | {{T&Fcalc|63.90}} | style="text-align:center"| {{gold1}} | |
| NCAA Division I Outdoor Championships | Shot put | {{T&Fcalc|21.12}} | style="text-align:center"| {{gold1}} |
| scope="rowgroup" rowspan="6"| 2015
| Big 12 Conference Indoor Championships || Shot put || {{T&Fcalc|21.14}} ||style="text-align:center"| {{gold1}} | |||
| NCAA Division I Indoor Championships | Shot put | {{T&Fcalc|20.93}} | style="text-align:center"| {{silver2}} |
| rowspan=2|Big 12 Conference Outdoor Championships | Shot put | {{T&Fcalc|20.52}} | style="text-align:center"| {{gold1}} |
| Discus | {{T&Fcalc|58.92}} | style="text-align:center"| {{gold1}} | |
| rowspan=2|NCAA Division I Outdoor Championships | Shot put | {{T&Fcalc|19.99}} | style="text-align:center"| 5th |
| Discus | {{T&Fcalc|60.18}} | style="text-align:center"| 5th | |
| scope="rowgroup" rowspan="2"| 2016
| Big 12 Conference Indoor Championships || Shot put || {{T&Fcalc|21.73}} ||style="text-align:center"| {{gold1}} | |||
| NCAA Division I Indoor Championships | Shot put | {{T&Fcalc|21.28}} | style="text-align:center"| {{gold1}} |
=World Athletics Rankings=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" |
| scope="col"| Year
!scope="col" style="width:80px;"| World Ranking !scope="col" style="width:80px;"| Season Best (meters) |
|---|
| scope="row"| 2016
| 1 || 22.52 |
| scope="row"| 2017
| 1 || 22.65 |
| scope="row"| 2018
| 2 || 22.53 |
| scope="row"| 2019
| 2 || 22.90 |
| scope="row"| 2020
| 1 || 22.91 |
| scope="row"| 2021
| 1 || bgcolor="#cfc"| 23.37 |
| scope="row"| 2022
| 2 || 23.12 |
| scope="row"| 2023
| 1 || bgcolor="#cfc"| 23.56 |
| 2024
|1 |22.93 |
Key: {{legend2|#cfc|World record (in bold)|border=solid 1px #AAAAAA}}
Awards
- Night of Legends Award 2021: Jesse Owens Male Athlete of the Year{{cite web|url=https://www.usatf.org/news/2021/usatf-end-of-year-awards-announced|title=USATF End of Year Awards Announced|publisher=USA Track & Field|date=December 3, 2021|access-date=August 1, 2022|archive-date=August 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220801071406/https://www.usatf.org/news/2021/usatf-end-of-year-awards-announced|url-status=live}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- {{Sports links|properties=-P4063|maxlink=7}}
- {{Team USA|new_id=ryan-crouser-871878|old_id=CR/Ryan-Crouser|archive=20230528060435}}
- [http://www.all-athletics.com/node/332963 Ryan Crouser] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171224042359/http://www.all-athletics.com/node/332963 |date=December 24, 2017 }} at All-Athletics
{{s-start}}
{{s-ach|rec}}
{{s-bef|before= {{flagicon|USA}} Randy Barnes}}
{{s-ttl|title=Men's shot put indoor world record holder|years=January 24, 2021 – present}}
{{s-inc}}
{{s-bef|before= {{flagicon|USA}} Randy Barnes}}
{{s-ttl|title=Men's shot put world record holder|years=June 18, 2021 – present}}
{{s-inc}}
{{s-ach|aw}}
{{s-bef|before=Sam Crouser}}
{{s-ttl|title=Track & Field News High School Boys Athlete of the Year |years= 2011 }}
{{s-aft|after=Tyreek Hill}}
{{s-end}}
{{Footer Olympic Champions Shot Put Men}}
{{Footer World Champions Shot Put Men}}
{{Footer World Indoor Champions Shot Men}}
{{Footer IAAF World Youth Champions Shot Put Men}}
{{Footer IAAF Diamond League Shot Put Champions Men}}
{{USA Indoor Track and Field Championships winners in men's shot put}}
{{Footer US NC shot put Men}}
{{Footer WBYP Shot Put Men}}
{{Footer USA Track & Field 2016 Summer Olympics}}
{{Footer USA Track & Field 2020 Summer Olympics}}
{{Footer USA Track & Field 2024 Summer Olympics}}
{{Footer Team USA Track & Field 2022 World Athletics Indoor Championships}}
{{Footer 2023 World Athletics Championships Team USA Track & Field}}
{{Footer Team USA Track & Field 2024 World Athletics Indoor Championships}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Crouser, Ryan}}
Category:American male shot putters
Category:American male discus throwers
Category:Sportspeople from Gresham, Oregon
Category:Texas Longhorns men's track and field athletes
Category:Track and field athletes from Portland, Oregon
Category:Olympic gold medalists for the United States in track and field
Category:Athletes (track and field) at the 2016 Summer Olympics
Category:Medalists at the 2016 Summer Olympics
Category:Athletes (track and field) at the 2020 Summer Olympics
Category:Medalists at the 2020 Summer Olympics
Category:Olympic male shot putters
Category:People from Boring, Oregon
Category:Sportspeople from Clackamas County, Oregon
Category:World Athletics Championships athletes for the United States
Category:World Athletics Championships winners
Category:USA Indoor Track and Field Championships winners
Category:USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships winners
Category:Diamond League winners
Category:World Athletics Indoor Championships medalists
Category:World Athletics record holders
Category:NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships winners
Category:21st-century American sportsmen
Category:NCAA Division I Indoor Track and Field Championships winners
Category:Athletes (track and field) at the 2024 Summer Olympics